Colorado Music Festival: Prokofiev 5 and Gabriela Montero Plays Tchaikovsky

"Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto might never have seen the light of day — the pianist for whom it was written initially declared it 'absolutely unplayable.' Luckily Tchaikovsky ignored this criticism, published his concerto, and unveiled what has become one of the most famous piano concertos of all time. Pianist Gabriela Montero brings her monster technique and thrilling tone to this concerto. Principal Guest Conductor Jean-Marie Zeitouni returns to conduct Prokofiev’s masterful Fifth Symphony. 'I conceived of [Symphony No. 5] as glorifying the grandeur of the human spirit . . . praising the free and happy man,' said Prokofiev of the uplifting symphony he composed against the backdrop of WWII. Mussorgsky’s haunting and beloved Night on Bald Mountain opens this all-Russian program."

MUSSORGSKY: Night on Bald Mountain (arr. Rimsky-Korsakov)
TCHAIKOVSKY: Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 23
PROKOFIEV: Symphony No. 5, Op. 100

With conductor Jean-Marie Zeitouni and Gabriela Montero, piano.